I had a coworker named Mariella–and she was the arbiter of all things chic. If I was debating a purchase, the ultimate decision would always be up to her, no questions asked. If something was too revealing, she would recommend putting a turtleneck under it. And if an outfit was too blagh, she would suggest a bold lip and a messy ballerina bun.

To me, a ballerina bun always seemed too out-there… it begged to be noticed, and drew a lot of attention to one’s face. Mar would beggg me to don one at work, but I was always too bashful. However, since one of my New Years resolutions is to be “chic” not trendy (read: trashy) I decided that maybe I should call upon Mar’s advice and just rock it. Maybe it’s just the new me talking, but it kind of feels like the right kind of bold…

I am perpetually on the hunt for a new perfume, it seems. Because perfume is so attached to memory, I can only wear one for so long before it becomes associated with a certain time period, or boyfriend. For example, I had a love affair with Coco Mademoiselle for two years, but when I ceased ties with the boy who loved it, I had to cease ties with my favorite perfume. That is the beauty of perfume–in a moment it can take you back to the time period when you were wearing it, whether good or bad (in my case, bad.)

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Now that I have made a major move to Los Angeles, and am preparing to move to Paris, I felt the time was right for a new perfume. After trying to research what the top-selling perfumes were in France for what seemed like ages, I was hitting a dead end… no website had quite the information I was looking for. Then I decided to try the search terms in French, and it worked! While I’ve already had love affairs with Coco Mademoiselle, Miss Dior Cherie, and Alien, I think I might try my hand at Guerlain‘s La Petite Robe Noire next…. any favorites out of this group? Let me know if you have any other favorites I should try out.

I am creating a new style segment on my blog which is going to be called “Style By Sign” in which I post my favorite style icons and organize them by categories on the sidebar… that will make it easy for you to just click on your sign and see which style icons you might be able to get ideas from!

In distinct Aquarius fashion, Jessica Hart has strayed from the typical model off-duty uniform consisting strictly of black & white and made it quirky and completely her own. Jessica Hart is one of my favorite style icons of all time–from the floral pants, fur vests, and top knots… in my eyes she can do no wrong.

Call me crazy, but recently I have struck by the urge to chop off all of my hair. Sometime shortly after turning 23 (quarter-life crisis?) my long locks started to feel more like I was trying to be a “Real Housewife” than the chic look I aspired towards.

While I wish I had the courage to chop it all off like Keira Knightley. I know that I will have to take it in babyyy steps. I probably won’t even have the courage to go for the shoulder-skimming bob à la Emily Blunt. So I think I’ll have to settle for the non-committal “midi” adopted by Jane Birkin, which is still probably considered long by some, but I think the blunt-cut makes it look modern enough to still be relevant. If only I were brave enough for the bangs…

What’s your hair thresh-hold? How short are you willing to chop your locks?